The day starts at 10am, flying displays from 12 noon – 5pm
and evening entertainment from 6pm until 9.30pm.

CLICK HEADINGS FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION

This is a large scale event in a relatively small seaside town, we strongly recommend visitors use public transport to travel to Herne Bay on Sunday 14th August.

Air Shows are very popular, attracting many thousands of visitors, please be aware that there is a severe risk of being caught in very heavy traffic for those that use their vehicles to travel.

We have made special arrangements with Stagecoach South East and Southeastern Railway, who have disabled and wheelchair access on their buses and trains. Services will be strengthened on the day of the Air Show.

Stagecoach buses will drop visitors within 100 metres of the central seafront area and there are regular inexpensive bus services from Herne Bay train station that will take you to the heart of the action in three minutes or so. The sea front is a 10 minute walk from the train station.

Don’t get caught in traffic – use public transport on Sunday 14th August.

PARKING ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS PATROLLING

Caught in event traffic? Let us know on the day info@hernebayairshow.co.uk

Please also note that the limited park and ride service offered last year will NOT be running this year due to development of the site used for this purpose.

AIR SHOW UPDATES

The Herne Bay Airshow will be broadcast live on both an FM frequency and online by Radio Cabin within a 5-mile radius of Herne Bay on on 105.3FM – including live commentary on all of the participating aircraft and aerial action.

DISABLED PARKING AND ACCESS

There are numerous parking bays and car parks within Herne Bay that include disabled spaces, however these will fill up very early indeed. Please arrive as early as possible to gain a close position to the seafront.

Please note that our general advice to all motorists, in view of the high numbers of visitors to the event, is to use public transport.

Central Parade between Lane End and Canterbury Road will be closed from 6pm 13th Aug until 10pm 14th August.

The promenade along the central seafront area from where the air show can be enjoyed is level and has a good surface. As we would like everyone to view the show from wherever they want to, with family and friends; it has not been deemed necessary to include specific areas for wheelchair users. The overall display line, is a good 2 miles wide.

If arriving by bus, it can drop you at Herne Bay Bus Station in The High Street, which is around 70 metres from the main crowd area on the seafront. From there you can go east or west to gain a vantage point.

If arriving by train (wheelchair users: if you are coming from the London direction, you can get off at Herne Bay, if you are coming from Margate you will need to go to Whitstable. When you leave you will need to travel to Margate and change platforms if you want to go to London , this is due to stations not having subways/lifts), there are regular inexpensive shuttle services from Herne Bay Train Station, which will drop you right next to the seafront.

The local council have a number of disabled toilets along the coastline, from the west in Hampton Pier Car Park, in the Central Bandstand and in the Kings Hall to the east. To access these toilets you’ll need a RADDAR key. You can get these from your local council. A number of of disabled portable toilets will be available along Central Parade.

Please familiarise yourself with the first aid (Red Cross) points along the seafront (on ethe event map) and contact one of our many DBS checked event marshals if you need any assistance.

It is vital for security reasons that all personal belongings and bags are not left unattended and are kept with you at all times.

Glass and/or bottles are not permitted on the Clock Tower Plaza.

Keep Herne Bay Tidy: Please help keep our beautiful promenades and beaches clean and tidy by taking any rubbish you bring, home with you.

In the unlikely event of a major incident, please listen to safety advice provided via our event commentator who will provide instructions. Event staff will also be able to provide advice in this instance. Depending on the nature of the incident, the display will proceed, and we would urge you not to rush back to your vehicles which might prevent emergency vehicle accessing the area.

As was the case last year – please use public transport to attend this event. Southeastern Rail and Stagecoach Buses are both significantly strengthening services to help meet demand on Sunday 14th August, both with disabled access and facilities. If event travel advice is ignored, you will very likely end up stuck in traffic (remember Manston had a 13-mile tailback 3 years ago) Don’t miss out on a fab day by being stuck in traffic. This is a FREE event which offsets the costs of using public transport to enjoy it

Following changes to CAA regulations and in light of a review of safety procedures, Neptune’s Sea Arm will be closed to the public on this day until all flying displays are complete. As some of you may have experienced, the display line is very broad and can be enjoyed from all the way from Hampton to Bishopstone and beyond.

Do not venture out into the water or onto the sand from 11.30 until 17.30, between the red shelter on Hampton slopes (Heron Angling Club) and The Ship Inn (Please note the beach/pebbles is fine, we’re talking about the sand, when the tide is out). An exclusion zone is in place for your safety, which exists between these points, a map is displayed below for reference and applies to all persons and watercraft. Venturing inside this area during displayed times may result in displays being cancelled. Remember that the sand inside Neptune’s Arm is extremely dangerous and should always be avoided. Stewards will be in these areas providing advice if required.

The beach between the pier and the Bandstand is to be closed in the morning until around 12.45, as this will be the landing site for our parachute display team. Please do not enter this area until you are advised it is safe to do so by event stewards.

Prepare for the weather: Sounds obvious, however at this time of year, even with relatively low temperatures and cloud cover, the strength of the sun over the day can burn easily. Please apply plenty of high factor sun cream to yourself and any little ones, hats also offer additional protection. Even in drizzly or fairly windy conditions, certain aircraft are still permitted and able to perform, therefore please visit this page for any updates on the day should weather potentially affect display teams/times and/or performances.

Portable toilet provision will be increased this year, including for disabled people, however with so many people attending this event, queues are simply inevitable. Do familiarise yourselves with other toilet locations such the toilets in William Street, The Bandstand, Next to Cain’s Amusements on Central Parade, The Kings Hall, Hampton Car Park, and next to the play area in the Memorial Park.

Evening entertainment: Under the terms of the license applicable for the Clock Tower plaza evening entertainment on this date, glasses and glass bottles are not permitted under any circumstances in this area. Please bring plastic bottles or cups.

First Aid. The British Red Cross will have a visible presence within the main crowd area. If you suffer any significant injury or are feeling unwell, please alert an event steward or visit one of the treatment centres next to Cain’s Amusements, The Bandstand, or in Neptune’s Car Park. For families, we also recommend bringing a small first aid kit with you with plasters for small cuts and bruises which can sometimes be associated with a visit to the beach.

Drones and other unmanned aircraft: Restrictions of Flying Regulations have been established under Article 161 of the Air Navigation Order 2009 between 1200 hours (local) and 1730 hours (local) on 14 August 2016 inclusive. As such no Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems shall be flown at this location without the permission of The Herne Bay Air Show flying display director.

Listen out for PA safety announcements within the main crowd area throughout the day, and remember Radio Cabin have a live broadcast of the event, including air display commentary on 105.3FM if you are outside this area.

Times: Broadly speaking, the day runs from 10am until 9.30pm with flying displays from around 12 noon until 5.00pm. Exact aircraft timings are not yet known, and will feature within the event programme which costs £5, and helps fund this fantastic free event.

Communication: It is very likely based on our experience of last year’s air show, that there will be a chance that the mobile phone network will be unable to cope with demand at certain points during the day due to crowd numbers, text and picture messaging, phone calls, and social media usage. Please arrange before the event to meet at one of the many landmarks along the seafront (Pier, Bandstand, Clock Tower) prior to the display if you are separated and unable to communicate due to a network overload.

Finally, do remember that a group of volunteers, with the help of the community, local businesses, and individuals, have come together to bring you this fantastic event, and whilst we we have done as much as we can in terms of planning, we need people visiting the event to do their bit to keep this brilliant advertisement for the town, safe and enjoyable for everyone. Many thanks

Restrictions of Flying Regulations have been established under Article 161 of the Air Navigation Order 2009 between 1200
hours (local) and 1730 hours (local) on 14 August 2016 inclusive. As such no Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems shall be flown at this location without the permission of The Herne Bay Air Show flying display director.

Please familiarise yourself with the lost children and first aid (Red Cross) points along the seafront and contact one of our many DBS checked event marshals if you need any assistance.

There are numerous public toilets located along Herne Bay seafront. There are also temporary public toilets which can be found along the main crowd viewing area, and for the purposes of this event, the public are also permitted to use the toilet facilities at these additional seafront locations:

Herne Bay Angling Club (Opposite Neptune Car Park)

The Divers Arms (Opposite the Clock Tower Plaza)

The Saxon Shore, Wetherspoons (Opposite the children’s play area on the west side of the Clock Tower)

We would urge you to be aware of these various toilet locations, as naturally queues for toilets can occur with such a large volume of people attending, and knowledge of alternative locations will be useful.

Due to H&S requirements, Neptune’s Arm will be closed for the duration of the event.

For boats and watercraft: Please note that once again, to meet regulatory requirements, the main and secondary watercraft launching ramps at Neptune’s Car Park will be closed from 9pm Sat 13th August until Midnight Sunday 14th August. Persons wishing to launch watercraft may do so at the Hampton ramp. Watercraft users wishing to view the event offshore must position their craft parallel with the old pier head by 11.30am and not encroach inside this position until after 5.30pm or when advised it is safe to do so. This area will be policed once against by safety boats and officials for the duration of the event.

Look what’s in the sky for 2016!

Red Arrows Display Team

Proudly sponsored
by Dave Jordan

Brian MacDowall, Nicholas Bond and Alan Marsh

History was made for Herne Bay last summer as the world-famous team in red wowed the crowds with a mouth-watering 23 minute display by some of the world’s top fast jet pilots that now make up The Red Arrows display team.

We’re delighted that we have been able to secure The Reds for the second year in a row, so have the cameras ready for one of the main stars of the show on August 14th of this year.

Eurofighter Typhoon

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The Eurofighter Typhoon is a twin-engine, canard-delta wing, multirole fighter.

It’s sometimes difficult to find words to describe the speed and agility of almost £70 million pounds worth state-of-the-art avation technology, but be under no illusions – it’ll get your attention when it arrives in a flash at our event.

The jaw-dropping display from the Eurofighter Typhoon will instantly capture the attention of thousands as the afterburners scorch the sky and the sound of thunder resonates across the sky. Please note the noise created by this aicraft may frighten children and pets.

Proudly sponsored by

BBMF Lancaster

The Avro Lancaster is a British four-engined Second World War heavy bomber designed and built by Avro for the Royal Air Force.

The Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) is a name known around the world and a national institution here in the United Kingdom.

Two years ago, booked as part of what was then a much smaller air display, Herne Bay was hoping to witness the majestic BBMF off the coast here. Sadly in August 2014, a nasty weather front swept through Herne Bay at the time the display was scheduled to take place and the display could not proceed.

Last summer the BBMF were booked again, and our hopes of seeing the Spitfire, Hurricane and the iconic Lancaster Bomber were high. Sadly an engine fire (pictured) in May of 2015 resulted in the Lancaster being withdrawn for the display season, however the iconic Spitfire and Hurricane displayed much to the enjoyment of tens of thousands of people. Could 2016 be third time lucky for us to see the Lancaster, Spitfire & Hurricane together? We hope so!

Since the formation of the BBMF in 1957 to commemorate the Battle Of Britain, the BBMF team have performed thousands of displays and flypasts including royal events, and just about everyone will stop in their tracks as the familiar three-ship formation soars above.

It is our honour to welcome the Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight to Herne Bay this summer.

BBMF Spitfire

Proudly sponsored by Terry Nicholls

The Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries before, during and after the Second World War.

The Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) is a name known around the world and a national institution here in the United Kingdom.

Two years ago, booked as part of what was then a much smaller air display, Herne Bay was hoping to witness the majestic BBMF off the coast here. Sadly in August 2014, a nasty weather front swept through Herne Bay at the time the display was scheduled to take place and the display could not proceed.

Last summer the BBMF were booked again, and our hopes of seeing the Spitfire, Hurricane and the iconic Lancaster Bomber were high. Sadly an engine fire (pictured) in May of 2015 resulted in the Lancaster being withdrawn for the display season, however the iconic Spitfire and Hurricane displayed much to the enjoyment of tens of thousands of people. Could 2016 be third time lucky for us to see the Lancaster, Spitfire & Hurricane together? We hope so!

Since the formation of the BBMF in 1957 to commemorate the Battle Of Britain, the BBMF team have performed thousands of displays and flypasts including royal events, and just about everyone will stop in their tracks as the familiar three-ship formation soars above.

It is our honour to welcome the Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight to Herne Bay this summer.

BBMF Hurricane

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The Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force.

The Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) is a name known around the world and a national institution here in the United Kingdom.

Two years ago, booked as part of what was then a much smaller air display, Herne Bay was hoping to witness the majestic BBMF off the coast here. Sadly in August 2014, a nasty weather front swept through Herne Bay at the time the display was scheduled to take place and the display could not proceed.

Last summer the BBMF were booked again, and our hopes of seeing the Spitfire, Hurricane and the iconic Lancaster Bomber were high. Sadly an engine fire (pictured) in May of 2015 resulted in the Lancaster being withdrawn for the display season, however the iconic Spitfire and Hurricane displayed much to the enjoyment of tens of thousands of people. Could 2016 be third time lucky for us to see the Lancaster, Spitfire & Hurricane together? We hope so!

Since the formation of the BBMF in 1957 to commemorate the Battle Of Britain, the BBMF team have performed thousands of displays and flypasts including royal events, and just about everyone will stop in their tracks as the familiar three-ship formation soars above.

It is our honour to welcome the Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight to Herne Bay this summer.

Autogyro

Proudly sponsored by Kevin Bloxham

Something different, something unusual, something for all the family to enjoy at Herne Bay Air Show this year.

What on earth is an Autogyro?

The most simplistic view, it’s a flying windmill or even a rotating parachute, think of a sycamore seed gently floating down as it spins.

The rotor blades of the gyro are completely free wheeling in flight, being driven solely by the air going up through the rotor disk. There is no mechanical drive to the rotors in flight, the phenomenon of autorotation drives them, once airborne the rotors just look after themselves and keep spinning, even if the airspeed indicator is showing Zero.

The propeller of the aircraft pushes it through the air for forward flight, the rotor is inclined slight back and the air flows up though the rotor disk keeps the rotors spinning. Stop the engine and the aircraft slows and descends, the air still flows through the disk and keeps them turning, even when flying sideways or even backwards – Birds don’t even fly backwards deliberately.

As the rest of the aircraft is hanging from the rotor it acts like a pendulum giving the gyrocopter natural stability, the rotors (wings) are flying through the air at 350mph so turbulent unstable air and wind gusts are ‘sampled’, this make the gyroplane much more stable that most other aircraft and capable or flying in conditions other won’t.

Autogyro, Gyroplane, Gyrocopter, Gyro – call them what you like, they are fun to fly and great to watch displaying.

Something different, something unusual, something for all the family to enjoy watching at the Herne Bay air show!

P-51D Mustang

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The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang is an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II, the Korean War and other conflicts

“Jumpin Jacques” is a P-51D-20-NA model, built at North American’s Inglewood facility in California. Accepted by the USAAF on December 21 1944 as 44-72035.

This very aircraft was assigned to the 332nd Fighter Group. The 332nd became very famous as the first all African-American Fighter Group known as “The Tuskegee Airmen”, although at the time they were referred to them as “The Red Tails”. She entered combat with the 15th Air Force around March 1945,in the last few months of the war flying on bomber escort and ground attack sweeps over Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia. She still carries the battle scars to this day, with bullet repairs in several places on the fuselage.

This Spring the aircraft was painted in her original “Tuskegee” squadron colours making the aircraft look fantastic and rather unique, certainly anywhere outside the USA.

We’re delighted to one of the Hangar 11 aircraft collection display for us at this event. The Hangar 11 Collection are one of the most active Warbird operators in Europe having displayed their aircraft in 10 European countries over the last three years alone, averaging over 80 public displays per season.

Breitling Wingwalkers

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Performing a breathtaking sequence of acrobatic manoeuvres and handstands whilst strapped to the top wings of the team’s beautiful Boeing Stearman biplanes.

The Breitling Wingwalkers take to the skies offshore at the Herne Bay Airshow on Sunday 14th August and we are delighted to welcome them back, last performing here in 2012.

Expect a sequence of formation loops and rolls, while daring wingwalkers perform acrobatics on the wings! The world’s only formation wingwalking display team has dazzled spectators across the world from Sydney to Dubai (see images) Chief Pilot, Martyn Carrington says “Precision timing is a crucial aspect of all display flying”

The famous striking orange Breitling livery painted on these beautiful 1940s Stearman planes will speed across Herne Bay skies at up to 140mph. Each with a wingwalker climbing around the aircraft and performing handstands while waving to the crowds below.

One particularly daring part of the display is when the wingwalkers carry out their ‘Cockpit Lady’ pass. This involves leaving the safety of their harnesses, and climbing down to the cockpit during flight. While standing in front of the pilot’s windscreen they perform a balletic pose as they soar past at 100mph!

Bucker Bestmann

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The Bücker Bü 181 Bestmann was a two-seater, single-engine aerobatic monoplane aircraft built by Bücker Flugzeugbau GmbH in Rangsdorf, near Berlin and extensively used by the Luftwaffe in World War II.

We’re delighted to welcome Will Greenwood who’ll be displaying his Bucker Bestmann at the Herne Bay Air Show this August.

The Luftwaffe had a range of trainers, and their low-winged monoplane equivalent of the Magister, was the Bücker Bü 181 Bestmann, and the story of how it came to be built is quite fascinating.

In the 1920s, a German naval aviator, Carl Clemens Bücker, just like many of his compatriots, decided to move across the Baltic Sea to Sweden, as what remained of the defeated German state was strictly forbidden to have any military aviation by the Occupying Powers. In Sweden he established an aircraft manufacturing company called Svenska Aero. Eventually, he returned to Germany, taking a talented young Swedish engineer named Anders J Andersson (who had worked for SAAB) with him. Their new company Bücker Flugzeugbau GmbH, was formed at Rangsdorf in Berlin.

As the war clouds gathered, in February, 1939, the company launched a new primary trainer, the Bü 181 Bestmann. It was a side-by-side two seater, of primarily wooden construction (ply-covered), except for the cockpit area which was reinforced with steel tube.

All control surfaces were fabric-covered, and the aircraft turned out to have beautifully harmonized, light controls. Power came from an inverted Hirth HM 500 or 504A four-cylinder engine of 105 hp, which gave a cruising speed of 120 mph, and a maximum speed of 133 mph. It had wheel brakes, and dual controls, this aircraft became one of the primary trainers for the Luftwaffe during WW2

BAC Strikemaster

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The BAC 167 Strikemaster is a British jet-powered training and light attack aircraft. It was a development of the Hunting Jet Provost trainer, itself a jet engined version of the Percival Provost, which originally flew in 1950.

The Red Arrows are not an easy act to follow, but Mark Petrie, Strikemaster pilot, pulled off a fantastic display last summer, a display which immediately followed the famous reds performance.

Fast and noisy, spectators all along the coast enjoyed Mark’s routine, and he’s back again on 14th August once more.

On leaving school in 1978 Mark joined the RAF, where he trained as a pilot and during the next 12 years he travelled the world and flew Phantoms out of RAF Leuchars in Scotland and Tornados in the Falklands.

He set up his own military aircraft aviation business in Flintshire in September 2001. “Not a good time to be starting out in the aviation business,” said Mark (September 11, 2001 was the attack on the Twin Towers in the USA). “I was flying a privately owned Jet Provost and the maintenance company was closing down so I had the opportunity to buy the equipment and start my own maintenance company. “I still fly for British Airways when I’m not doing this. I remain on their full-time roster so I’m away four times a month on long-haul flights, in a 777,” he told us.

Prepare once again for Mark’s fast and noisy display in his wonderful Strikemaster.

Turbulent Display Team

Proudly sponsored
by Herne Bay Junior School

One of the longest-established flying display teams in the world. Since 1959, the Turbs have been an integral part of the Tiger Club’s famously colourful contribution to light aviation.

Anyone who has seen a Turb Team display will tell you that the stars of the show are our diminutive D31 Turbulents – characterful single-seaters which, though French by design, are very much English by adoption.

With a mix of low-level formation, flour-bombing, balloon-bursting and limbo-flying, The Turb Team are virtually unique on the airshow circuit today.

Lauren Richardson

Proudly sponsored
by Sylvia Cottrell

Lauren is one of the top aerobatic display pilots in the UK. Flying a beautiful and iconic modified Pitts Special aerobatic biplane, both as an airshow pilot and as a competitive sport aerobat.

At the back end of last year, Lauren Richardson, one of the UK’s top display pilots, and one of the highlights of last year’s air show asked if we wanted her to perform this summer.

It wasn’t a difficult decision to make. Lauren stunned the crowds with a fantastic display, demonstrating just why she is sought after by air show organisers up and down the country. Flying now for 8 years, Lauren has honed her skills, becoming British Female Aerobatic Champion in 2012, gaining her air show display authorisation in 2013. When you witness Lauren’s display, you can see why many people find it incredible that 2015 was only Lauren’s third display season.

We’re delighted to have Lauren back displaying along the coast here, and Lauren plans to visit the seafront after her display to say hello and meet some of the crowds too.

Kent Spitfire

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Spitfire IXe TA805, otherwise known as the Kent Spitfire, is based at the historic former RAF Battle of Britain fighter station, Biggin Hill.

Proudly sponsored by Kevin Bloxham

Built as a Hurricane I by the Canadian Car and Foundry in Spring 1941.

Delivered to the RAF shortly after, it was transferred to the Royal Navy and converted to a Sea Hurricane by July 1942.

It was badly damaged in a mid-air collision at RNAS Yeovilton with the airframe being written off and placed in storage. From 1960 till 1970 it remained in storage until the remains were purchased by Jim Pearce of Shoreham in September 1992.

Taken on by Hawker Restorations an indepth restoration to flying condition began during 1994/2000.

Registered as G-TWTD, its post restoration flight took place on June 7, 2000 when it was painted in the scheme of Gp Capt Douglas Bader, CO of 242 Squadron in 1940.

Further marked as AE977 LE-D, it became the property of Tom Friedkin/Chino Warbirds Inc in 2001 and sailed to Galveston from Southampton.

It returned to the UK and to the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar during 2012 where it joined the ever expanding fleet of warbirds. It is currently displayed in the colours of Air Commodore Peter Brothers DFC who flew Hurricanes from Biggin Hill with No. 32 Squadron in 1940.

Westland Wasp

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A small 1960s British gas-turbine powered, shipboard anti-submarine helicopter. Produced by Westland Helicopters, it came from the same P.531 programme as the British Army Westland Scout.

The Westland Wasp was a small 1960s British gas-turbine powered, shipboard anti-submarine helicopter. Produced by Westland Helicopters, it came from the same P.531 programme as the British Army Westland Scout, and was based on the earlier piston-engined Saunders-Roe Skeeter.

It fulfilled the requirement of the Royal Navy for a helicopter small enough to land on the deck of a frigate and carry a useful load of two homing torpedoes

Westland Wasp XT787 is a veteran of the Falklands war and took part in the very first engagement when it fired missiles at the Argentine Sub Santa Fe. It’s owner and pilot, Dr Terry Martin is a specialist in helicopter air ambulance operations.

Team Spirit

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The three-ship RV6 formation team have upgraded their hand-built aircraft this display season to include smoke trails which will enhance an already very colourful display by these skilled pilots

We’re delighted to welcome back Team Spirit to the Herne Bay Air Show on Sunday Aug 14th.

The three-ship RV6 formation team have upgraded their hand-built aircraft this display season to include smoke trails which will enhance an already very colourful display by these skilled pilots.

The pilots learned to fly at North Weald around five years ago,receiving their formal Display Authority four years ago, and have showcased their skills as far afield as the Northern Ireland International Airshow at Portrush.

Great War Display Team

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One of Europe’s largest display teams, a whopping ten replica aircraft featuring British Sopwith triplanes, German Fokker DR1 aircraft, Royal Aircraft Factory SE5a and BE2c’s and German CL1 Junkers.

The Gnat was designed by W.E.W. Petter as a development of the private venture Folland Midge. It first flew in 1955. Its design allowed its construction without specialised tools by countries not highlyindustrialised.[1][2] Although never used as a fighter by the Royal Air Force (RAF), the Gnat T.1 trainer variant was widely used. The Gnat became well known as the aircraft of the RAF’s Red Arrows aerobatic team.

The Gnat was exported to Finland, Yugoslavia and India. The Indian Air Force became the largest operator and eventually manufactured the aircraft under licence. India then developed the HAL Ajeet, a modified and improved variant.

XW324 was built at Warton, the 38th Jet Provost Mk5 completed for the RAF. She entered service in September 1970 and was allocated to 3FTS at RAF Leeming where she was used for basic pilot training. In 1973 she was even used by the School’s aerobatic display team ‘The Gemini Pair’.

In early 1974 she was transferred on to the strength of 1FTS at Linton-On-Ouse, however her tenure there was brief and she remained there only until late 1975.

Having not been selected for upgrade to T.5A status XW324 was subsequently transferred to 6FTS at RAF Finningley in Yorkshire as aircraft ‘U’ where she served on the navigational training school and low level and air defence unit (LLAD). The aircraft remained at Finningley until she officially retired in 1993. She was subsequently ferried to RAF Shawbury in July of that year. In February of 1994 she was one of 65 JP’s purchased by Global Aviation and was subsequently restored to flying condition and allocated the civil registration G-BWSG, she then had moves to Southend, North Weald and Jersey before returning to the UK mainland.

The Tigers Parachute Display Team

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Jumping from up to 12,00 ft, expect a breathtaking display.

Important-Landing Area: Please do not use the beach in between the Pier entrance and Bandstand until you have been advised to do so by an event steward and all safety notices and equipment have been removed.

Formed in 1986, the team were originally given the name ‘The Flying Dragons’, a legacy that continues to this day, with many members of the regiment choosing to refer to the team as ‘The Flying Tigers’ As of today, the team have adopted the name also taken up by their regiment -‘The Tigers’

The Tigers have performed at a huge number of events all over Europe over the years, including displays in Berlin, Kosovo, Cyprus, and more recently at the opening of the birthday celebrations for Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark.

Jumping from up to 12,00 ft, expect a breathtaking display from the team as smoke trails and flags wind their way down to the seafront as part of the airshow.

Important- Landing Area: Please do not use the beach in between the Pier entrance and Bandstand until you have been advised to do so by an event steward and all safety notices and equipment have been removed. Thank you.

Boeing Stearman

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A sensational display from this Boeing Stearman, US Navy Variant, model A75-N25-4 built circa 1942/3.

This Stearman believed to be a US Navy Variant, model A75-N25-4 built circa 1942/3 as a training aircraft. It probably remained in military hands well into the 1950s.

The aircraft entered civilian hands in 1957 and remained in use until late in 1966 when it was taken out of service. In 1971/2 the aircraft was rebuilt as a crop duster and remained in service until 1981. A further rebuild was completed in 1986 and in January 1991 the aircraft was disassembled and shipped to the UK where it was flown privately until purchased by TG Aviation in 2002. Now used as a training aircraft it is available for trial flight experiences.

The aircraft is displayed by Sue Girdler who learnt to fly with TG Aviation in 1986 and is now Manager of the Flying School which was based at Manston but now operates out of Lydd Airport.

Russian MiG-15 UTC

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Heron Angling Club

We are delighted to be able to bring you, as part of our Airshow on Sunday 14th August, this magnificent Russian MiG-15 UTC fighter jet!

We are delighted to be able to bring you, as part of our Airshow on Sunday 14th August, this magnificent Russian MiG-15 UTC fighter jet!
Owned and operated by the Norwegian Airforce Historical Squadron, the aircraft is painted and marked as ‘Red 18’ to represent Russian-Soviet pilot and cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, a former fighter pilot of the MiG-15. We’re sure you’ll agree, a fantastic international addition to our line-up.
We’re honoured to have such an iconic aircraft display offshore here at Herne Bay this summer, another little piece of history to be made for our town.

de Havilland Vampire

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We’re delighted to be welcoming, from the Norwegian Air Force Historical squadron, this fantastic de Havilland Vampire jet

The de Havilland D.H100 Vampire was the RAF’s first single-jet powered aircraft. Developed and manufactured by de Havilland, the Vampire entered service with the Royal Air Force in 1945.This aircraft was the RAF’s second jet fifighter after the Gloster Meteor, which itself broke the air speed record off the coast of Herne Bay in 1945.
Used by the RAF as a front-line fighter until 1953, this uniquely desiged aircraft then performed secondary roles such as pilot training.
The Vampire achieved many aviation firsts, such as being the first jet aircraft to cross the Atlantic Ocean, and the first to launch from an aircraft carrier.
A total of 3,268 Vampires were produced and used by some 31 air forces around the world in 15 variations of this design.
On 8th June 1946, the Vampire was introduced to the British public and given the honour of a Victory Day
Celebrations London flypast.

The Sea Vixen

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A fairly last minute addition to our air show line-up this summer is the rather special Sea Vixen.

Capable of almost 700mph at sea level, and with a range of nearly 800 miles, the Sea Vixen became the first British aircraft to be solely armed with missiles, rockets, and bombs, and in a shallow dive, could reach supersonic speeds.
The first prototype was built back in 1951, and the aircraft quickly exceeded expectations the following year by flying faster than the speed of sound. The first true Sea Vixen as we know it today flew in 1957 and was capable of take-off and landing from Royal Navy aircraft carriers.
For lovers for speed and sound, this one might be for you!

BATTLE OF BRITAIN EXPERIENCE STATIC AIRCRAFT

After being such a huge hit in 2015, we’re delighted to be able to welcome back the Battle of Britain Experience static aircraft to this year’s airshow.

Hundreds of people climbed aboard the Spitfire, Hurricane, and ME109 for photos, and we expect there’ll be plenty more people interested this year too! To assist in covering the cost of the statics, we’re asking for a nominal £1 donation in return for getting inside any of these brilliant replica aircraft to pose for photos. Thank you!

Did you know: Last year, we were asked whether we had permission for these static aircraft to land on the seafront!

Photo credit: Michael McLaughlin

Ground attractions and Live music!

Thanks to The Friends of Herne Bay Clock Tower, we have the fantastic 80s band Hyperactive at 6pm and Queen II performing live on stage at 7.45pm, letting the magic of the day continue on into the evening.

Performing hits from every decade of Queen’s musical legacy – Queen II truly are the Champions Of Tributes!

As part of the day, you’ll be able to enjoy the official Red Arrows simulator, interact with the information stands and stalls. Whatever you fancy to eat or drink, they’ll be plenty of choice between the various caterers and of course Herne Bay’s local cafes and restaurants.